Palace for Life Foundation are committed to developing the talent in young footballers with a dedicated player pathway which gives the most talented the opportunity to join Crystal Palace F.C. Academy and other local teams.

The Palace for Life Player Pathways provide:

• Player pathway feeding into the Crystal Palace Academy
• Elite Level FA and UEFA qualified coaching
• Experienced coaches who work across Palace for Life Foundation and The CPFC Academy
• Coaching ethos and style mirroring Crystal Palace Academy
• Opportunities for children of all levels
• Fun, inspiring and safe environment for all

Below, please see a breakdown of tiers specific for young outfield footballers and goalkeepers.

Please note, the make-up of each tier is not definitive, and children will always have the opportunity to move through the tiers based on performances. The movement will typically take place at the end of each half term.

Outfield Players

Tier 1

Locations: (Bishops Justus/Trinity/Caterham)

This Player Development Centre is open to players of all abilities who are keen to join the player development pathway. Players will receive top-level coaching from FA and UEFA qualified coaches and will be regularly assessed to give opportunities between tiers.

To book onto the Tier 1 Player Development Centre, click HERE.

Tier 2

Location: (Warlingham/Kent County Cricket Club/ARK Blake Academy)

Tier 2 is our first invite-only Player Development Centre. Children that are consistently performing to a high level in a Tier 1 centre will be invited to join Tier 2 of the pathway.

Top-level coaching will continue to develop players, with an individual focus aimed at helping them reach their potential.

From here, progression into our Tier 3 Talent Centre will be the next step.

For those children in Years 1-3, we are now running a Tier 2 centre at Ark Blake Academy. These children will not currently have the opportunity to play at a Tier 3 centre until they are in Year 4, though will have the opportunity to step into the CPFC pre-academy if they are excelling.

Tier 3: Talent Centre

Location: Crystal Palace F.C. Academy

The Talent Centre is based at the Crystal Palace F.C. Academy for children in Years 4-8, and is based at Coombe Wood School for children in Years 9-11. It is the top rung of our developmental player pathway.

Children consistently performing to a very high level at our Tier 2 centres will be invited to attend this centre, where they will be assessed by Academy Coaches and Academy Scouts.

From here, those that are performing to a very high level may be offered an opportunity to enter the Crystal Palace F.C. Pre-Academy or take part in a Talent Identification showcase match organised by Academy recruiters.

Goalkeepers

Development Centre

Location: Kent County Cricket Club/Coombe Wood School

This centre is open to all young goalkeepers between the age groups of U9-U13. Budding goalkeepers will receive top-level Goalkeeper training and enter the CPFC player pathway.

To book onto the Goalkeeper Development Centre, click HERE.

Talent Centre

Location: Crystal Palace F.C. Academy

Goalkeepers that are consistently performing to a high level may be invited to attend our Talent Centre based at the Crystal Palace F.C. Academy.

Here, goalkeepers will be assessed by the Academy scouts and recruiters and will have opportunities to join the Crystal Palace F.C. Pre-Academy or Talent Identification showcase programme.